RSX Suspension on 01-05 Civics

[Todd00]

Why, exactly, won't the RSX suspension fit on the 01-05 Civic coupe/sedan (or is that false)? My guess is that the rears will interchange perfectly, except for perhaps the width of the lower bushing. On the fronts, the only problem I see is if the tierod end is slightly different diameter between the two (where it goes into the strut arm). On EP3 vs RSX, these are the only problems as I've interchanged them several times. I'd like to know exactly what the problem is for RSX vs 01-05 Civic. I'm not talking OEM suspension, but adjustable coilovers designed for the DC5. Let's ignore springs for now as the rideheight will certainly be different. Another thing to consider is the bottom bolt holes on the front strut, although for 03+ Civic I think they were standardized with the RSX. Right, wrong? Feel free to add input/experience. We'll make it an FAQ if we have enough knowledge.

This ad is not displayed to registered or logged-in members. Register your free account today and become a member on Honda-Tech!

[Curiouz_G]

theres something like this already on http://www.7thgencivic.com. lemme dig it up

[fventura03]

dc5 full coils fit on the em2 with the exception of drilling out one of the camber bolts.

[Curiouz_G]

i believe new tie rod ends and shaving 1mm off the rear bottom bracket is needed. also the front might not work that well b/c the knuckles are larger. i also think that on our cars its 16mm while the rsx is 14mm. or vice versa. thats what i got from a 8 page search of 7thgencivic.

[Todd00]

I'd like to have specifics so I can detail it out. I checked on 7thgen and every post I found about it was either locked or filled with crappy information.

[YouGotHacked]

If you have an 03-05 Civic, all you'd need to do is get an RSX tie rod end. If you have an 01-02 though, You'd have to get 16MM knuckles. At least this is what I got from searching. I'll report back with more information.

[Curiouz_G]

ive gone as far back as 2003 searches and all of them seem to be the same thing. but ill look somewhere else.

[Todd00]

Originally Posted by Curiouz_G

ive gone as far back as 2003 searches and all of them seem to be the same thing. but ill look somewhere else.

Yeah, I saw some, but a lot of the original information was based on the 01-02 Civics. In 03 things changed a bit.

That and folks just wanted to put oem RSX stuff on their civics. aftermarket coilovers changes things to some degree.

But everytime it gets asked over there now, the thread gets locked. That and everyone seems scared to experiment.

[Curiouz_G]

ill experiment with RSX coilovers if someone pays

[toyomatt84]

All I know, is that in TEIN's listing of products, the RSX had the same serial number as the EM2 in many situations. Let me look at the listing, and get back to you.

[Todd00]

I'll bump this back up because I want to see if anyone knows for sure about:

1) Front tie-rod ends. You have to order the RSX pieces, correct

2) Rear lower mount. May need to shave off a little bushing material.

Other than that, any RSX suspension should be a direct bolt-on to any 03-05 Civic. 01-02 may have problems with the bolt diameter in the knuckle?

[YouGotHacked]

Yeah, 01-02 is 14MM knuckle bolts, 03-05 is 16MM bolts. Another problem might be that some 2002 cars came with 50MM strut housings, and some came with the 55MM strut housings. I believe that they switched to the 55MM strut housing definitively in 03, but don't quote me on this information.

[Todd00]

OK, here are some more findings so I can add the the FAQ. I'll try to post some pics, but for now I'll just detail the differences.

DC5 (RSX) suspension to an 03-05 Civic coupe/sedan won't be a direct bolton because of this:

Rear:

Bottom mount on the DC5 is larger by several millimeters. The top is pretty much identical, as is the shock body...from what I can tell. So to swap over OEM shocks or aftermarket shocks, you will need to shave some bushing material off of the RSX shocks.

Front:

The front is a direct bolt-on for the 03-05 Civics. On the 01-02 you may need to do some modification to the bolt holes where the strut attach to the knuckle. I have not confirmed this, however. But the 01-02 Civics used a 14mm bolt. The 03-05 uses a 16mm bolt.

However, the tierod end is not the same. You will need to put RSX tierod ends on your Civic to get the RSX suspension to work. The problem is that the diameter and pitch of the hole on the strut arm is different between the two.

EP3 Suspension

EP3 aftermarket suspension should bolt right up to any 01-05 Civic. They share the two areas with the 01-05 Civic the RSX suspension does not...the lower rear mount and the tierod end.

Koni shocks

Koni shocks are a bit different as they are made more universal. Konis address the problem of the rear lower mount by making everything narrower (ep3, 01-05 Civic) and providing washers to use on the RSX. In the front, you will need to determine if you have a 50mm or 55mm front strut to get the correct insert.

Not 100% positive, but 01-02 Civic = 50mm, 03-05 = 55mm.

[ragingSPAM]

any dc5 suspension will fit 01-05 as long as the tie rod ends are changed...the EP3 will bolt up to any 01-05...the 16mm crashbolt hole shocks for the DC5 can be use on the 01-02 with the 14mm...how do u think tein, HKS, JIC magic and other companies made suspensions for the 01-05s...they based it off the rsx

[Synapz]

I bought used Buddy Club Racing Spec Dampers from someone and they were supposed to be for an EP3... I gave it to a shop for install, (to save me the trouble) and they told me that my tie-rod end studs were too small for the strut arm, so I was like "wtf?". Obviously it's proven that these were meant for a DC5, so I just ordered DC5 tie-rod ends and they're going in next monday, I'll let you guys know how it goes, and clear everything up.

[evolem2]

i have an 01 civic coupe and just installed some JIC FLT-A2 off a DC5 a few months ago. I hade not problems with the front...everything fit perfectly. The only issue I has was with the rear lower bushing. I was a bit larger and had to grind it down with an angle grinder. Other than that...everything fit fine and install was a pieve of cake. The JIC's are awesome btw!

[ley]

gotta be one of the most helpful topics in a good while gj todd

[Todd00]

Originally Posted by evolem2

i have an 01 civic coupe and just installed some JIC FLT-A2 off a DC5 a few months ago. I hade not problems with the front...everything fit perfectly. The only issue I has was with the rear lower bushing. I was a bit larger and had to grind it down with an angle grinder. Other than that...everything fit fine and install was a pieve of cake. The JIC's are awesome btw!

You'll have some play where the tierod ends go through the strut. The DC5 uses a larger diameter piece than the Ep3/01-05 Civic does.

Sure, it'll fit--but it won't fit properly without the DC5 ends.

[efficiencyJunkie]

Can anyone confirm the

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Not 100% positive, but 01-02 Civic = 50mm, 03-05 = 55mm.</TD></TR></TABLE>

[WyldRice]

This would help a lot! i have an '02 EP3 and i am placing an order for Koni's...

Originally Posted by efficiencyJunkie

Can anyone confirm the ...
"...you will need to determine if you have a 50mm or 55mm front strut to get the correct insert.
Not 100% positive, but 01-02 Civic = 50mm, 03-05 = 55mm."

someone please confirm this!

also. if i take it to a Honda dealer, can they check it with the VIN#???

[blackKready]

maybe this is stating the obvious , but i just put a full rsx suspension on my 01 civic coupe. and the easiest way is too use the whole thing , strut/spindle , and retain the civic LCA's , the lower joints are the same. and of course rsx tie rods are a must. if your keeping the D17 and just going for wheel conversion , youl need custom axles. i was actually putting a K20 in my car , so axles werent an issue for me.

in the back , undo the brake line from the flex hose , undo the upper bolt , 2 lower bolts , one having a cam nut for alignment. pull the spindle off and undo the Ebrake cables , like half dozen 12mm bolts on each one. passenger goes up and over the exhaust. the rsx rear spindle bolts right into place. the E brake cables bolt right into place , all except for the middle 2 mounts , one on each cable , that dont reach the holes.

[Curiouz_G]

01-02 have 50mm and 04-05 have 55mm.

2003 models are different. youll need to measure them yourself to figure that one out. i got lucky with mine.

[WyldRice]

Originally Posted by Curiouz_G

01-02 have 50mm and 04-05 have 55mm.

2003 models are different. youll need to measure them...

OK thank you very much! KONI's FTW!

btw- Happy Thanksgiving!

[katzenjammer84]

I figured I'd make mention, as far as swaybars go, the rear is interchangeable up to about 23mm (any bigger comes in contact with the back of the muffler).

The front swaybar is a different story. The front sway is bent in a manner to fit a K20 exhaust system, not a D17.

Depending on the size of the front swaybar, you'll have catalytic converter to swaybar contact. I'm running 25mm, you may be able to get away with it on smaller diameters. LX and DX folks will probably be okay as the cat won't get in the way.


Modified by katzenjammer84 at 8:17 PM 2/20/2008


Modified by katzenjammer84 at 8:17 PM 2/20/2008

[portaman03]

Sooooo....

Would Tokico D-Spec shocks for a 2001 Civic fit a 2003 RSX-S?

What would it take?

I'm sure it can be figured out in the reverse order as the topics in this thread, but I am confusing myself..